An intelligent self-balancing downstream device (e.g., air fixture or diffuser) that can obtain accurate flow measurements that can be used to perform the self-balancing in situ and during operation to satisfy a set point. The downstream device may be controllable by a single software system or network accessible locally on site or remotely off site. The downstream device can operate in a single zone or be coupled with multiple like apparatuses for multi-zone operation. It is a high turndown ratio and self-balances, which can allow for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems and that may be used as a supply, return, or exhaust system, or a combination thereof. The downstream device can include multi-stage airflow control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

The LFFC technology allows for accurate measurement and metering of fluids in a HVAC system-based on parameters such as pressure, velocity, volume, particles, and temperature. A procedure in a processor allows for the calibration of the aperture devices thru various methods in real time based on the actual system performance. The fluid aperture device calibration curves can be developed in a lab environment, on calibrated flow stands and/or field calibration methods using adaptive learning software based on sensor data. The procedure can rely on calibration curves, characterizations, equations, predictive analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, simulation software, calibrated flow stands, duplicating environmental conditions, various sensor data and programming software executed by a processor or system software. Upstream and downstream reference points for temperature, flow, particles, and pressure can be used as additional data to auto calibrate/commission the system thru the software.

An intelligent self-balancing downstream device that can obtain accurate flow measurements (e.g., flow of a liquid or gas through a tube) that can perform the self-balancing in situ and during operation to satisfy a set point and without k factors or the use of TAB balancers. The downstream device may be controllable by a single software system or network. The downstream device can operate in a single zone or be coupled with multiple like apparatuses. It has a high turndown ratio and self-balances, which can allow for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems. A fluid metering device can include control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

A method/structure for calibrating a product fluid flow device having one or more apertures with aggregate area A.sub.o, where fluid flows along a fluid flow path therethrough in response to pressure differentials ΔP across the apertures. Calibration is effected relative to a calibration fluid flow device having a geometry and operational parameters corresponding to those of the product fluid flow device. A piecewise curved calibration controller establishes calibration conditions and generates a discrete point calibration flow rate (dpCFR) Function by measuring at a sparse set of points in a range of interest and determining a piecewise curved mathematical representation of fluid flow through the calibration fluid flow device. Data representative of the CFR function is transferred to a product blade controller, which processes the mathematical representation, and controls fluid flow through product fluid flow device based on values extracted from the received dpCFR Function.

An intelligent self-balancing downstream device that can obtain accurate flow measurements (e.g., flow of a liquid or gas through a tube) that can perform the self-balancing in situ and during operation to satisfy a set point and without k factors or the use of TAB balancers. The downstream device may be controllable by a single software system or network. The downstream device can operate in a single zone or be coupled with multiple like apparatuses. It has a high turndown ratio and self-balances, which can allow for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems. A fluid metering device can include control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

A fluid distribution apparatus that can serve as a fluid metering device that is operable on a single platform by building automation systems. The building automation system may be controllable by a single software system or network accessible locally on site or remotely off site. The fluid distribution apparatus can operate independently or coupled with multiple like apparatuses for system operation. It is a high turndown, self-balancing system which allows for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems and that may be used as a supply system, exhaust system, or a combination thereof. The fluid distribution apparatus includes fluid metering devices that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

An information processing apparatus (20) includes a model generating unit (210) and a feature value computation unit (220). The model generating unit (210) generates an Auto-Regressive with eXogenous input (ARX) model of a smell sensor by use of input data controlling an input operation of gas including a smell component being a measurement target, and output data acquired by inputting the gas to the smell sensor, based on the input data. The feature value computation unit (220) computes a transfer function of the smell sensor relating to the smell component by subjecting the ARX model to Z-Transform, and further computes a first-order lag transfer function feature value of the smell sensor relating to the smell component by subjecting the transfer function to partial fraction decomposition.

An intelligent self-balancing downstream device (e.g., air fixture or diffuser) that can obtain accurate flow measurements that can be used to perform the self-balancing in situ and during operation to satisfy a set point and without k factors or the use of TAB balancers. The downstream device may be controllable by a single software system or network accessible locally on site or remotely off site. The downstream device can operate in a single zone or be coupled with multiple like apparatuses for multi-zone operation. It is a high turndown ratio and self-balances, which can allow for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems and that may be used as a supply, return, or exhaust system, or a combination thereof. The downstream device can include multi-stage airflow control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

A self-balancing system that can obtain accurate flow measurements that can be used to perform the self-balancing in situ and during operation to satisfy a set point and without k factors or the use of TAB balancers. The building automation system may be controllable by a single software system or network accessible locally on site or remotely off site. The air distribution apparatus can operate in a single zone or coupled with multiple like apparatuses for multi-zone operation. It is a high turndown, self-balancing system which allows for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems and that may be used as a supply, return, or exhaust system, or a combination thereof. The air distribution apparatus can include multi-stage airflow control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.

A method for calibrating a product fluid flow valve disposed along a flow path in a site duct, and including damper blades, an actuator coupled thereto, a differential pressure sensor, and a blade controller adapted to define adjustable product flow apertures, comprising the steps: with a calibration fluid flow valve in a calibration duct remote from the product fluid flow valve, and characterized by a geometric shape and operational parameters corresponding to those of the product fluid flow valve, and with a calibration controller, establishing a plurality of calibration conditions including pressure drop across the calibration blades and area of the calibration apertures, determining a calibration flow rate (CFM) function, transferring the CFM function to the product blade controller and adjusting the adjustable product flow apertures so that a parameter set point is attained. In a form, fluid flowing through the product flow apertures forms a vena contracta.